Infections Were Linked to About 1 in 8 Cancer Cases Worldwide

A new global analysis estimates that infections were responsible for roughly 2.3 million new cancer cases in 2024, about 12% of all cancers worldwide. H. pylori and HPV were the largest contributors, followed by hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis C. Host Dave Asprey explores how persistent infections can contribute to cancer through chronic inflammation, DNA damage, altered immune surveillance, and other biological pathways. He explains why this does not mean cancer is contagious or that infection inevitably leads to cancer, but argues that identifying, preventing, and treating infections such as H. pylori, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C can be an overlooked part of a long-term prevention strategy.

Sources:

-IARC: Global Burden of Cancer Attributable to Infections in 2024

-PubMed: Global Burden of Cancer Attributable to Infections in 2024

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What We Really Know About Persistent Finasteride Side Effects

Finasteride reduces the conversion of testosterone into DHT by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, but that enzyme also participates in pathways involved in neuroactive steroids. Some former users report persistent sexual, cognitive, mood, and physical symptoms after stopping the drug, a collection of symptoms commonly called post-finasteride syndrome. Small studies have reported differences in neurosteroids, gene expression, androgen signaling, and peripheral nerve function among symptomatic former users, but these studies cannot establish that finasteride caused those changes or determine how common persistent symptoms are. Host Dave Asprey examines the evidence between the two extremes, neither dismissing persistent symptoms nor assuming that finasteride permanently damages everyone who takes it. European regulators have also recognized suicidal ideation as a possible adverse effect of oral finasteride, although its frequency remains unknown.

Sources:

-EMA: Finasteride and Dutasteride Safety Review

-PubMed: Neuroactive Steroids After Finasteride Discontinuation

PubMed: Neuroactive Steroids and Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

PubMed: Differential Gene Expression in Post-Finasteride Syndrome

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One Cup of Blueberries a Day Improved Measures of Vascular Function

In a six-month randomized controlled trial involving 115 adults with metabolic syndrome, consuming the equivalent of one cup of blueberries per day improved endothelial function and a measure of arterial stiffness, while a half-cup dose did not produce the same effects. Host Dave Asprey explains why describing blueberries simply as “antioxidants” misses much of their biology. Anthocyanins and other polyphenols can interact with gut microbes and influence vascular, inflammatory, and nitric oxide-related signaling. He also examines a small smoothie experiment showing that the polyphenol oxidase found in bananas sharply reduced the circulating metabolites of certain flavan-3-ols, while emphasizing that the experiment did not prove bananas erase the benefits of blueberries.

Sources:

-American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Blueberries and Cardiometabolic Function

-Food & Function: Polyphenol Oxidase and Flavan-3-ol Bioavailability

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Vitamin D Matters to Male Reproductive Biology, But It Is Not a Fertility Treatment

Vitamin D receptors are present throughout the male reproductive system, and vitamin D signaling may influence processes involved in sperm motility and fertilization. Observational research has linked low vitamin D with poorer sperm motility, but clinical outcomes are less straightforward. In a randomized trial of 330 vitamin D-insufficient infertile men, supplementation raised vitamin D levels but did not improve overall semen parameters. Researchers observed potentially interesting signals involving spontaneous pregnancy and live birth among a subgroup of men with low sperm counts, but those findings require confirmation. Host Dave Asprey explains why correcting a vitamin D deficiency still makes sense while arguing that male fertility needs to be evaluated as a larger system involving metabolic health, sleep, heat exposure, medications, hormones, micronutrients, toxins, oxidative stress, and semen testing.

Sources:

-PubMed: Vitamin D Supplementation, Semen Quality and Live Birth Rate

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CoQ10 Shows Why a Great Mechanism Does Not Guarantee a Great Treatment

CoQ10 plays a central role in mitochondrial energy production and electron transport, making it an appealing candidate for diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuronal energy failure. Early biological reasoning and smaller studies looked promising, but larger clinical trials have repeatedly failed to show the expected neurological benefits. A randomized trial of 600 people with early Parkinson’s disease found no evidence that high-dose CoQ10 slowed disease progression, while a large Huntington’s disease trial was stopped early for futility. A Phase II ALS trial also found insufficient evidence to justify moving to a larger Phase III study. Host Dave Asprey uses CoQ10 as a broader lesson in biohacking: a supplement can have a legitimate biological function while still failing to improve the clinical outcome you care about.

Sources:

-PubMed: High-Dose CoQ10 in Early Parkinson Disease

-Neurology: CoQ10 in Huntington Disease

-PubMed: Phase II CoQ10 Trial in ALS

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This episode is designed for biohackers, longevity enthusiasts, men thinking about hair loss or fertility, and anyone trying to distinguish a compelling biological mechanism from a proven intervention. Host Dave Asprey examines how chronic infections contribute to cancer risk, what the evidence really says about persistent finasteride symptoms, why blueberries may influence vascular health through polyphenol signaling, where vitamin D fits into male fertility, and why CoQ10 is a powerful example of promising biology failing to translate into clinical outcomes. The larger lesson is simple: understand the mechanism, look for meaningful human outcomes, measure your own biology, and avoid confusing a plausible explanation with proof that an intervention works.

Keywords: infection cancer risk, cancer causing infections, H pylori cancer, HPV cancer, Epstein Barr virus cancer, chronic infection cancer, finasteride side effects, post finasteride syndrome, finasteride neurosteroids, allopregnanolone finasteride, DHT hair loss, blueberries cardiovascular health, blueberries endothelial function, blueberry polyphenols, anthocyanins gut microbiome, banana smoothie polyphenols, polyphenol oxidase, vitamin D male fertility, vitamin D sperm quality, male infertility, CoQ10 mitochondria, CoQ10 Parkinson’s disease, CoQ10 neurodegeneration, mitochondrial health, biohacking research roundup

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• Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro

00:45 — Infections From 2024

02:15 — Finasteride Concerns

04:38 — Blueberries and Bananas

06:40 — Vitamin D and Fertility

08:18 — CoQ10 Trial Failures

09:47 — Takeaway

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Infections & Cancer, Finasteride Side Effects, Blueberry Benefits, Vitamin D & Fertility, and CoQ10 : 1552

The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Infections & Cancer, Finasteride Side Effects, Blueberry Benefits, Vitamin D & Fertility, and CoQ10 : 1552